Timepiece including base plate formed of resin and wheel train

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a timepiece which has a resin substrate, rotors, and wheel trains, and relates to a wheel train apparatus which has a resin substrate, bearing members, gear wheel, and the like. The invention is constituted by a timepiece comprising; a gear wheel, and a substrate which supports a shaft of a rotor and/or a shaft of the gear wheel, the substrate being formed from a filled resin. Alternatively the invention is constituted by a wheel train apparatus comprising: a gear wheel; a substrate which supports one shaft section of the gear wheel, and a bridge which rotatably supports an other shaft section of the gear wheel, the substrate and the bridge being formed from a filled resin.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a timepiece which has a resinsubstrate, rotors, and gear wheels, for example, an analog electronictimepiece and a mechanical timepiece. Moreover, the present inventionrelates to a wheel train apparatus which has a resin substrate, bearingmembers, gear wheels, and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, in a timepiece including a wheel train which rotates bydriving a motor, for example, in an analog electronic timepiece, a wheeltrain is rotated by driving a rotor constituting a step motor. Forexample, gear wheels such as a fifth wheel-and-pinion, a fourthwheel-and-pinion, a third wheel-and-pinion, and a minute indicator,constitute the wheel train. Rotor pinion (in a rotor this refers toparts other than the rotor magnet, and similarly hereunder), the fifthwheel-and-pinion, and the third wheel-and-pinion may be formed from ametal, or may be formed from a so-called engineering plastic such aspolyacetal.

Moreover, conventionally, in a timepiece including a wheel train whichrotates by the force of a mainspring, for example, in a mechanicaltimepiece, the wheel train is rotated by rotation of a barrel drumincluding mainsprings. For example, gear wheels such as a barrelcomplete, a second wheel-and-pinion, a third wheel-and-pinion, a fourthwheel-and-pinion, and an escape wheel-and-pinion constitute a wheeltrain. A gear wheel has a gear wheel section and a shaft section. A mainplate, a wheel train bridge, and a second bridge are provided withbearing section. The shaft section of the gear wheel is rotatablysupported by the bearing section. The third wheel-and-pinion and thefourth wheel-and-pinion may be formed from a metal, or may be formedfrom a so called engineering plastic such as polyacetal.

The main plate constitutes the substrate of the analog electronictimepiece and the mechanical timepiece. The wheel train bridge and thesecond bridge constitute the bearing members of the analog electronictimepiece and the mechanical timepiece. The main plate, the wheel trainbridge, and the second bridge may be formed from a metal such as brass,or a so-called engineering plastic such as polycarbonate.

However, in a timepiece including plastic parts such as a rotor, a fifthwheel-and-pinion, a fourth wheel-and-pinion, and a thirdwheel-and-pinion formed from engineering plastics, in the case where theplastic parts are transported by a parts feeder, the plastic parts maybecome charged in some cases due to friction. Referring to FIG. 9, if acharged plastic part, for example a plastic rotor 876 is held by a metalchuck 880, the charged negative electrode (−) in the chuck 880 and thecharged negative electrode (−) in the rotor 876 become mutuallyrepulsive (or, the charged positive electrode (+) in the chuck 880 andthe charged positive electrode (+) in the rotor 876 become mutuallyrepulsive), so that the rotor 876 is likely to move or jump out in thedirection of the arrow.

Referring to FIG. 10, a movement (machine body) 800 of the analogelectronic timepiece includes a main plate 802 and a stator 874. In themovement (machine body) 800 of the analog electronic timepiece, if thecharged rotor 876 is combined with the main plate 802, the chargedpositive electrode (+) in the main plate 802 and the charged positiveelectrode (+) in the rotor 876 become mutually repulsive (or, thecharged negative electrode (−) in the main plate 802 and the chargednegative electrode (−) in the rotor 876 become mutually repulsive), sothat the rotor 876 is likely rise in the direction of the arrow andjump. As a result, the shaft section of the rotor 876 can not be locatedin a predetermined position. If the wheel train bridge 812 is combinedwith the main plate 802 in such condition, the shaft section of therotor 876 may be bent, or the shaft section of the rotor 876 may bedamaged.

Furthermore, referring to FIG. 11, when the charged rotor 876 islubricated with lubricating oil (chronometer oil: shown by hatching inFIG. 11) using a lubricating unit 888, if the lubricating unit 888becomes close to the charged rotor 876, the non-conductive lubricatingoil becomes polarized and charged. Therefore, there is the likelihood ofthe droplets of the lubricating oil being not only adhered to the partsof the rotor 876 requiring the lubricating oil, for example, the shaftin FIG. 11, but also being dispersed and adhered to the unnecessaryparts, for example, the pinion section other than the shaft section ofthe rotor 876 or the like.

Therefore, heretofore there is a problem in that antistatic agent mustbe sprayed on the plastic parts such as the rotor pinion, the fifthwheel-and-pinion, the fourth wheel-and-pinion and the thirdwheel-and-pinion. Moreover it has heretofore been necessary to earth tothe various parts manufacturing machines or assembling machines

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The timepiece of the present invention includes: a motor constituting adriving source, the motor including a rotor having a pinion section anda shaft section, a gear wheel configured so as to rotate by rotation ofthe rotor, the gear wheel having a gear wheel section and a shaftsection, and a substrate including a bearing section which rotatablysupports the shaft section of the rotor and/or the shaft section of thegear wheel, wherein the substrate is formed from a filled resin having abase resin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this baseresin.

In the timepiece of the present invention, the substrate is formed froma filled resin having a base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbonfiber mixed with this base resin. Since this filled resin hasconductivity, the main plate formed from the filled resin will notbecome charged. Therefore, due to the present invention, the plasticparts can be held by the chuck without spraying antistatic agent on theplastic parts such as the rotor, the fifth wheel-and-pinion, the fourthwheel-and-pinion and the third wheel-and-pinion. In the timepiece of thepresent invention, the plastic parts can be reliably fitted into thesubstrate. Furthermore, in the timepiece of the present invention; whenthe plastic parts such as the rotor, the main plate, or the bridge arelubricated with lubricating oil (oil for timepiece) using a lubricatingunit, there is little likelihood of droplets of the lubricating oil notbeing adhered to the parts requiring the lubricating oil, for example,the bearings of the shaft section or the bore, and being dispersed andadhered to the parts not requiring the lubricating oil, for example, thepinion section.

Furthermore, the timepiece of the present invention includes: a motorconstituting a driving source, the motor including a rotor having apinion section and a shaft section, a gear wheel configured so as torotate by rotation of the rotor, the gear wheel having a gear wheelsection and a shaft section, and a substrate including a bearing sectionwhich rotatably supports the shaft section of the rotor and/or the shaftsection of the gear wheel, wherein the substrate is formed from a metalor a plastic, and the rotor and/or the gear wheel are formed from afilled resin having a base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fibermixed with this base resin.

Moreover, the timepiece of the present invention includes: a motorconstituting a driving source, the motor including a rotor having apinion section and a shaft section, a gear wheel configured so as torotate by rotation of the rotor, the gear wheel having a gear wheelsection and a shaft section, and a substrate including a bearing sectionwhich rotatably supports the shaft section of the rotor and/or the shaftsection of the gear wheel, wherein the substrate is formed from a filledresin having a base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixedwith this base resin, and the rotor and/or the gear wheel are formedfrom a filled resin having a base resin of thermoplastic resin andcarbon fiber mixed with this base resin.

Furthermore, the timepiece of the present invention includes: a spiralspring constituting a driving source; a gear wheel configured so as torotate with the spiral spring as the driving source, the gear wheelhaving a gear wheel section and a shaft section, and a substrateincluding a bearing section which rotatably supports the shaft sectionof the gear wheel, wherein the substrate is formed from a filled resinhaving a base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed withthis base resin.

Moreover, the timepiece of the present invention includes: a spiralspring constituting a driving source, a gear wheel configured so as torotate with the spiral spring as the driving source; the gear wheelhaving a gear wheel section and a shaft section, and a substrateincluding a bearing section which rotatably supports the shaft sectionof the gear wheel, wherein the substrate is formed from a metal or aplastic, and the gear wheel is formed from a filled resin having a baseresin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this baseresin.

Furthermore, the timepiece of the present invention includes: a spiralspring constituting a driving source, a gear wheel configured so as torotate with the spiral spring as the driving source, the gear wheelhaving a gear wheel section and a shaft section, and a substrateincluding a bearing section which rotatably supports the shaft sectionof the gear wheel, wherein the substrate is formed from a filled resinhaving a base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed withthis base resin, and the gear wheel is formed from a filled resin havinga base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with thisbase resin.

In the timepiece of the present invention, preferably the base resin isselected from a group consisting of; polystyrene, polyethyleneterephthalate, polycarbonate, polyacetal (polyoxymethylene), polyamide,modified polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylenesulfide, polyether ether ketone, and polyether imide. Furthermore, inthe timepiece of the present invention, preferably the carbon filler isselected from a group consisting of; a monolayer carbon nanotube, amultilayer carbon nanotube, a vapor grown carbon fiber, a nanografiber,a carbon nanohorn, a cup stack type carbon nanotube, a monolayerfullerene, a multilayer fullerene, and a mixture of any one of thecarbon fillers doped with boron.

Moreover, the present invention is a wheel train apparatus including agear wheel, a substrate, and a bearing member, including: a gear wheelhaving a gear wheel section and a shaft section; a substrate including abearing section which rotatably supports one shaft section of the gearwheel; and a bearing member including a bearing section which rotatablysupports an other shaft section of the gear wheel, wherein the substrateand the bearing member are formed from a filled resin having a baseresin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this baseresin.

By such a configuration, it is possible to provide a wheel trainapparatus configured such that, without spraying antistatic agent on thegear wheels such as the fifth wheel-and-pinion, the fourthwheel-and-pinion, the third wheel-and-pinion, and an transfer wheel,these parts can be held by the chuck, and these parts can be reliablyfitted into the substrate.

Furthermore, the present invention is a wheel train apparatus includinga gear wheel, a substrate, and a bearing member, includes a gear wheelhaving a gear wheel section and a shaft section; a substrate including abearing section which rotatably supports one shaft section of the gearwheel; and a bearing member including a bearing section which rotatablysupports an other shaft section of the gear wheel, wherein the substrateis formed from a metal or a plastic, the bearing member is formed from ametal or a plastic, and the gear wheel is formed from a filled resinhaving a base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed withthis base resin.

Moreover, the present invention is a wheel train apparatus including agear wheel, a substrate, and a bearing member, including: a gear wheelhaving a gear wheel section and a shaft section; a substrate including abearing section which rotatably supports one shaft section of the gearwheel; and a bearing member including a bearing which rotatably supportsan other shaft section of the gear wheel, wherein the substrate and thebearing member are formed from a filled resin having a base resin ofthermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this base resin, and thegear wheel is formed from a filled resin having a base resin ofthermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this base resin.

In the wheel train apparatus of the present invention, preferably thebase resin is selected from a group consisting of any one of;polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyacetal(polyoxymethylene), polyamide, modified polyphenylene ether,polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether etherketone, and polyether imide. Moreover, in the wheel train apparatus ofthe present invention, preferably the carbon filler is selected from agroup consisting of; a monolayer carbon nanotube, a multilayer carbonnanotube, a vapor grown carbon fiber, a nanografiber, a carbon nanohorn,a cup stack type carbon nanotube, a monolayer fullerene, a multilayerfullerene, and a mixture of any one of the carbon fillers doped withboron.

In the present invention, “substrate” is not limited to the main plate,but is a concept including seat members such as a third lower seat,plate members such as a calendar back plate, presser members such as aback holder and date dial guard, and frame members such as a winderframe and a battery frame. Moreover, in the present invention, “bearingmember” is a concept including bridge such as a second bridge, a thirdbridge and a wheel train bridge. That is, in the present invention,“substrate” and “bearing member” denote various members provided withbearings which rotatably support the rotating members such as the gearwheel, the rotor, or the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a movementseen from the observe side, in a first embodiment of the presentinvention (some components are omitted in FIG. 1).

FIG. 2 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view showing a part from asecond motor to a second hand, in the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view showing a part from aminute motor to a minute hand, in the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view showing a part from anhour motor to an hour hand, in the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a movementseen from the observe side, in a second embodiment of the presentinvention (some components are omitted in FIG. 5, and the imaginarylines denote bearing members).

FIG. 6 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view showing a part from abarrel drum to a pallet fork, in the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view showing a part from anescape wheel-and-pinion to a balance complete, in the second embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view showing a process toconstruct a second rotor, in the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view showing a process tochuck a rotor, in a conventional timepiece.

FIG. 10 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view showing a process toconstruct a rotor, in a conventional timepiece.

FIG. 11 is a schematic fragmentary sectional view showing a process tolubricate to a shaft section of a rotor, in a conventional timepiece.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment

First is the description of a first embodiment of the present invention.The first embodiment of the present invention is a timepiece having arotor and a wheel train, that is, an analog electronic timepiece.Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, in the first embodiment of the analogelectronic timepiece of the present invention, a movement (machine body)100 of the analog electronic timepiece has a main plate 102 constitutinga substrate of the movement. A hand setting stem 110 is rotatably builtin to a hand setting stem guiding hole of the main plate 102. A dial 104(denoted by imaginary lines in FIG. 2) is attached to the movement 100.The movement 100 is provided with a changeover spring 166 whichdetermines the position in the axial direction of the hand setting stem110.

On the “observe side” of the movement 100, a battery 120, a circuitblock 116, an hour motor 210, an hour display wheel train 220, a minutemotor 240, a minute display wheel train 250, a second motor 270, asecond display wheel train 280, and the like are arranged. The mainplate 102, a wheel train bridge 112, a second bridge 114 constitutesupport members. The configuration is such that rotation of the hourmotor 210 cause rotation of the hour display wheel train 220 so that thehour hand 230 can display the “hour” of the present time. Moreover, theconfiguration is such that rotation of the minute motor 240 causerotation of the minute display wheel train 250 so that the minute hand260 can display the “minute” of the present time. Furthermore, theconfiguration is such that rotation of the second motor 270 causerotation of the second display wheel train 280 so that the second hand290 can display the “second” of the present time.

An IC 118 and a quartz resonator 122 are installed in the circuit block116. The circuit block 116 is fixed with respect to the main plate 102and the wheel train bridge 112 by a switch spring 162 through aninsulating plate 160. The changeover spring 166 is integrally formedwith the switch spring 162. The battery 120 constitutes the power sourceof the analog electronic timepiece. A rechargeable secondary battery ora rechargeable capacitor may be also used for the power source of theanalog electronic timepiece. The quartz resonator 122 constitutes theoscillation source of the analog electronic timepiece. It oscillates forexample at 32,768 Hertz.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a second motor 270 includes a secondcoil block 272, a second stator 274, and a second rotor 276. When thesecond coil block 272 inputs a second motor drive signal, the secondstator 274 is magnetized to rotate the second rotor 276. The secondrotor 276 is configured for example so that it rotates 180 degrees forevery second. The second rotor 276 includes an upper-shaft section 276a, a lower-shaft section 276 b, a pinion section 276 c, and a rotormagnet 276 d. The upper-shaft section 276 a, the lower-shaft section 276b, and the pinion section 276 c are formed from a so-called engineeringplastic such as polyacetal.

The configuration is such that, based on rotation of the second rotor276, a second wheel 284 rotates through rotation of a second transferwheel 282. The second transfer wheel 282 includes an upper-shaft section282 a, a lower-shaft section 282 b, a pinion section 282 c, and a gearwheel section 282 d. The pinion section 276 c is configured so that itmeshes with the gear wheel section 282 d. The second transfer wheel 282is formed from a so-called engineering plastic such as polyacetal. Thesecond wheel 284 is configured for example so that it rotates once perminute. The second wheel 284 includes an upper-shaft 284 a, a beadsection 284 b, and a gear wheel section 284 d. The pinion section 282 cis configured so that it meshes with the gear wheel section 284 d. Theupper-shaft section 284 a and the bead section 284 b are formed from ametal such as carbon steel. The gear wheel sections 284 d is formed froma metal such as brass.

The second hand 290 is attached to the second wheel 284. The secondwheel 284 may be arranged at the center of the analog electronictimepiece, or may be arranged in a different location from the center ofthe analog electronic timepiece. The second hand 290 constitutes asecond display member. Any one of a second hand, a disk, and otherdisplay members in floral or geometric patterns may be used for thesecond display member. The second display wheel train 220 includes thesecond transfer wheel 282 and the second wheel 284. The second rotor 276and the second transfer wheel 282 are rotatably supported with respectto the main plate 102 and the wheel train bridge 112. The second wheel284 is rotatably supported with respect a center pipe 126 provided onthe second bridge 114 and the wheel train bridge 112. That is, theupper-shaft section 276 a of the second rotor 276, the upper-shaftsection 282 a of the second transfer wheel 282, and the upper-shaftsection 284 a of the second wheel 284 are rotatably supported withrespect to the wheel train bridge 112. Moreover, the lower-shaft section276 b of the second rotor 276 and the lower-shaft section 282 b of thesecond transfer wheel 282 are rotatably supported with respect to themain plate 102.

A bearing of the wheel train bridge 112 which rotatably supports theupper-shaft section 276 a of the second rotor 276, a bearing of thewheel train bridge 112 which rotatably supports the upper-shaft section282 a of the second transfer wheel 282, and a bearing of the wheel trainbridge 112 which rotatably supports the upper-shaft section 284 a of thesecond wheel 284, are lubricated with lubricating oil. A bearing of themain plate 102 which rotatably supports the lower-shaft section 276 b ofthe second rotor 276, and a bearing of the main plate 102 whichrotatably supports the lower-shaft section 292 b of the second transferwheel 282, are lubricated with lubricating oil. For this lubricatingoil, it is preferable to use precision instrument oil, and it isparticularly preferable to use so-called chronometer oil. Examples ofsuch chronometer oil include “MOEBIUS A (trademark)” available fromMOEBIUS Co, Ltd.

In order to increase the retention capacity of the lubricating oil, itis preferable to provide the respective bearings of the wheel trainbridge 112 and the respective bearings of the main plate 102, with sumpsections of cone, cylindrical, or truncated cone shape. If the sumpsection is provided, the lubricating oil can be effectively preventedfrom spreading by the surface tension of the oil. A date dial 170 isrotatably supported with respect to the main plate 102. A date dialguard 172 supports the date dial 170 with respect to the main plate 102.It is preferable to lubricate the attachment part of the tip section ofthe date dial 170 and the main plate 102 with the lubricating oil. Forthis lubricating oil, it is preferable to use precision instrument oil,and it is particularly preferable to use so-called chronometer oil.

The main plate 102 and the wheel train bridge 112 are formed from afilled resin having a base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fibermixed with this base resin. If the main plate 102 and the wheel trainbridge 112 are formed from the filled resin, the lubricating oil can beeffectively held due to the filler. Therefore the likelihood of thelubricating oil being scattered without being retained by the bearingscan be reduced. Consequently, the timepiece and the wheel trainapparatus of the present invention having the wheel train, have gooddurability performance for the shaft and bearings, and ease ofmaintenance.

The base resin used in the present invention is generally polystyrene,polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyacetal(polyoxymethylene), polyamide, modified polyphenylene ether,polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether etherketone, or polyether imide. That is, in the present invention, the baseresin is preferably made of a so-called general-purpose engineeringplastic or a so-called super engineering plastic. In the presentinvention, a general-purpose engineering plastic or a super engineeringplastic other than the above can also be used for the base resin. It ispreferable that the base resin used for the present invention is athermoplastic resin.

The carbon filler used in the present invention is generally; amonolayer carbon nanotube, a multilayer carbon nanotube, a vapor growncarbon fiber, a nanografiber, a carbon nanohorn, a cup stack type carbonnanotube, a monolayer fullerene, a multilayer fullerene, or theaforementioned carbon fillers doped with boron. Preferably the carbonfiller is contained as 0.2 to 60% by weight of the total weight of thefiller containing resin. Or preferably the carbon filler is contained as0.1 to 30% by volume of the total volume of the filler containing resin.

Preferably the monolayer carbon nanotube has a diameter of 0.4 to 2 nm,and an aspect ratio (length/diameter) of 10 to 1000, specifically anaspect ratio of 50 to 100. The monolayer carbon nanotube is formed in ahexagon shaped netlike having a cylindrical shape or a truncated-coneshape, and is a monolayer structure. The monolayer carbon nanotube canbe obtained from Carbon Nanotechnologies Inc. (CNI) in the U.S.A. as“SWNT”.

Preferably the multilayer carbon nanotube has a diameter of 2 to 100 nm,and an aspect ratio of 10 to 1000, specifically an aspect ratio of 50 to100. The multilayer carbon nanotube is formed in a hexagon shapednetlike having a cylindrical shape or a truncated-cone shape, and is amultilayer structure. The multilayer carbon nanotube can be obtainedfrom NIKKISO as “MWNT”.

Such carbon nanotubes are described in “Carbon Nanotubes and AcceleratedElectronic Applications” (“Nikkei Science” March, 2001 issue, pp 52-62)and “The Challenge of Nano Materials” (“Nikkei Mechanical” December,2001 issue, pp 36-57) by P. G. Collins et. al., or the like. Moreover,the configuration and the manufacturing method of carbonfiber-containing resin composition has been disclosed for example inJapanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No.2001-200096.

Preferably the vapor grown carbon fiber has a diameter of 50 nm to 200nm, and an aspect ratio of 10 to 1000, specifically an aspect ratio of50 to 100. The vapor grown carbon fiber is formed in a hexagon shapednetlike having a cylindrical shape or a truncated-cone shape, and is amultilayer structure. The vapor grown carbon fiber can be obtained fromSHOWA DENKO as “VGCF (trademark)”. The vapor grown carbon fiber has beendisclosed for example in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, FirstPublication No. H05-321039, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application,First Publication No. H07-150419, and Japanese Examined PatentApplication, second Publication No. H03-61768.

Preferably the nanografiber has an outer diameter of 2 to 500 nm, and anaspect ratio of 10 to 1000, an aspect ratio of 50 to 100 beingparticularly preferable. The nanografiber has an almost solidcylindrical shape. The nanografiber can obtained from ISE ELECTRON/nowchanged to NORITAKE ITRON CORP.

Preferably the carbon nanohorn has a diameter of 2 to 500 nm, and anaspect ratio of 10 to 1000, an aspect ratio of 50 to 100 beingparticularly preferable. The carbon nanohorn has an cup shape being ahexagon shaped netlike.

Preferably the cup stack type carbon nanotube has a shape where thecarbon nanohorn is laminated into a cup shape, and an aspect ratio of 10to 1000, an aspect ratio of 50 to 100 being particularly preferable.

Fullerene is a molecule which uses a carbon cluster as a parent. Thedefinition of CAS, is that it is a molecule being a closed globularshape with 20 or more carbon atoms respectively combined with adjacentthree atoms. Monolayer fullerene has a football like shape. Preferablythe monolayer fullerene has a diameter of 0.1 to 500 nm. Preferably thecomposition of the monolayer fullerene is C60 to C540. the monolayerfullerene is for example C60, C70, and C120. The diameter of C60 isabout 0.7 nm. Multilayer fullerene has a telescopic shape with themonolayer fullerene mentioned above concentrically laminated. Preferablythe multilayer fullerene has a diameter of 0.1 nm to 1000 nm, a diameterof 0.1 nm to 500 nm being particularly preferable. Preferably themultilayer fullerene has a composition of C60 to C540. Preferably themultilayer fullerene has a configuration with for example C70 arrangedon the outside of C60, and C120 arranged further on the outside of C70.Such multilayer fullerene has been described for example in “TheAbundant Generation and Application to Lubricants of Onion StructureFullerene” (“Japan Society for Precision Engineering” vol. 67, No. 7,2001) by Takahiro Kakiuchi et. al.

Furthermore, the aforementioned carbon filler may also be made with anyof the carbon fillers (a monolayer carbon nanotube, a multilayer carbonnanotube, a vapor grown carbon fiber, a nanografiber, a carbon nanohorn,a cup stack mold carbon nanotube, a monolayer fullerene, or a multilayerfullerene) doped with boron. The method of doping the carbon filler withboron is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, FirstPublication No. 2001-200096 or the like. In the method disclosed inJapanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No.2001-200096, the carbon fiber and boron manufactured by thegaseous-phase method, are mixed by means of a Henschel mixer type mixer,and this mixture is heat-treated at about 2300° C. in a high-frequencyinduction furnace or the like. Then, the heat-treated mixture is groundby a grinder. Next, the base resin and the ground mixture are blended ata predetermined rate, and melting and kneading carried out by anextruder in order to manufacture a pellet.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, a battery negative terminal 170 isattached to the main plate 102. The battery negative terminal 170electrically connects the negative electrode of the battery 120 to thenegative input section Vss of the IC 118 through the negative pattern ofthe circuit block 116. The battery clamp 172 is attached to the switchspring 162. The battery clamp 172 and the switch spring 162 electricallyconnect the positive electrode of the battery 120 and the positive inputsection Vdd of the IC 118 through the positive pattern of the circuitblock 116.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a minute motor 240 includes a minutecoil block 242, a minute stator 244, and a minute rotor 246. When theminute coil block 242 inputs a minute motor drive signal, the minutestator 244 is magnetized to rotate the minute rotor 246. The minuterotor 246 is configured for example so that it rotates 180 degrees per20 seconds. The minute rotor 246 includes an upper-shaft section 246 a,a lower-shaft section 246 b, a pinion section 246 c, and a rotor magnet246 d. The upper-shaft section 246 a, the lower-shaft section 246 b, andthe pinion section 246 c are formed from a so-called engineering plasticsuch as polyacetal.

The configuration is such that, based on rotation of the minute rotor246 a first minute transfer wheel 252 rotates, and based on rotation ofthe first minute transfer wheel 252 a minute wheel 256 rotates throughrotation of a second minute transfer wheel 254. The first minutetransfer wheel 252 includes an upper-shaft section 252 a, a lower-shaftsection 252 b, a pinion section 252 c, and a gear wheel section 252 d.The pinion section 246 c is configured so that it meshes with the gearwheel section 252 d. The first minute transfer wheel 252 is formed froma so-called engineering plastic such as polyacetal. The second minutetransfer wheel 254 includes an upper-shaft section 254 a, a lower-shaftsection 254 b, a pinion section 254 c, and a gear wheel section 254 d.The pinion section 254 c is configured so that it meshes with the gearwheel section 254 d. The second minute transfer wheel 254 is formed froma so-called engineering plastic such as polyacetal.

The minute wheel 256 includes a cylindrical section 256 a and a gearwheel section 256 d. The pinion section 254 c is configured so that itmeshes with the gear wheel section 256 d. The cylindrical section 256 ais formed from a metal such as carbon steel. The gear wheel sections 254d is formed from a metal such as brass. The minute wheel 256 isconfigured so that it rotates once per hour. The minute hand 260 isattached to the minute wheel 256. The center of rotation of the minutewheel 256 is the same as the center of rotation of the second wheel 284.The minute hand 260 constitutes a minute display member. Any one of aminute hand, a disk, and other display members in floral or geometricpatterns may be used for the minute display member.

The minute display wheel train 250 includes the first minute transferwheel 252, the second minute transfer wheel 254, and the minute wheel256. The minute rotor 246, the first minute transfer wheel 252, and thesecond minute transfer wheel 254 are rotatably supported with respect tothe main plate 102 and the wheel train bridge 112. The minute wheel 256is rotatably supported and contacts with a periphery of a center pipe126 provided on the second bridge 114. That is, the upper-shaft section246 a of the minute rotor 246, the upper-shaft section 252 a of thefirst minute transfer wheel 252, and the upper-shaft section 254 a ofthe second minute transfer wheel 254 are rotatably supported withrespect to the wheel train bridge 112. Moreover, the lower-shaft section246 b of the minute rotor 246, the lower-shaft section 252 b of thefirst minute transfer wheel 252, and the lower-shaft section 254 b ofthe second minute transfer wheel 254 are rotatably supported withrespect to the main plate 102.

A bearing of the wheel train bridge 112 which rotatably supports theupper-shaft section 246 a of the minute rotor 246, a bearing of thewheel train bridge 112 which rotatably supports the upper-shaft section252 a of the first minute transfer wheel 252, and a bearing of the wheeltrain bridge 112 which rotatably supports the upper-shaft section 254 aof the second minute transfer wheel 254, are lubricated with lubricatingoil. A bearing of the lower-shaft section 246 b of the minute rotor 246,a bearing of the main plate 102 which rotatably supports the lower-shaftsection 252 b of the first minute transfer wheel 252, and a bearing ofthe main plate 102 which rotatably supports the lower-shaft section 254b of the second minute transfer wheel 254, are lubricated withlubricating oil. For this lubricating oil, it is preferable to useprecision instrument oil, and it is particularly preferable to useso-called chronometer oil. In order to increase the retention capacityof the lubricating oil, it is preferable to provide the respectivebearings of the wheel train bridge 112 and the respective bearings ofthe main plate 102, with sump sections of cone, cylindrical, ortruncated cone shape.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, an hour motor 210 includes an hour coilblock 212, an hour stator 214, and an hour rotor 216. When the hour coilblock 212 inputs an hour motor drive signal, the hour stator 214 ismagnetized to rotate the hour rotor 216. The hour rotor 216 isconfigured for example so that it rotates 180 degrees for every 20minutes. The hour rotor 216 includes an upper-shaft section 216 a, alower-shaft section 216 b, a pinion section 216 c, and a rotor magnet216 d. The upper-shaft section 216 a, the lower-shaft section 216 b, andthe pinion section 216 c are formed from a so-called engineering plasticsuch as polyacetal.

The configuration is such that, based on rotation of the hour rotor 216a first hour transfer wheel 222 rotates, and based on rotation of thefirst hour transfer wheel 222 an hour wheel 226 rotates through rotationof a second hour transfer wheel 224. The first hour transfer wheel 222includes an upper-shaft section 222 a, a lower-shaft section 222 b, apinion section 222 c, and a gear wheel section 222 d. The pinion section216 c is configured so that it meshes with the gear wheel section 222 d.The first hour transfer wheel 222 is formed from a so-called engineeringplastic such as polyacetal. The second hour transfer wheel 224 includesan upper-shaft section 224 a, a lower-shaft section 224 b, a pinionsection 224 c, and a gear wheel section 224 c. The pinion section 222 cis configured so that it meshes with the gear wheel section 224 d. Thesecond hour transfer wheel 224 is formed from a so-called engineeringplastic such as polyacetal.

The hour wheel 226 includes a cylindrical section 226 a and a gear wheelsection 226 d. The pinion section 224 c is configured so that it mesheswith the gear wheel section 226 d. The hour wheel 226 is formed from ametal such as brass. The hour wheel 226 is configured so that it rotatesonce per 12 hours. The hour hand 230 is attached to the hour wheel 226.The center of rotation of the hour wheel 226 is the same as the centerof rotation of the minute wheel 256. Therefore, the center of rotationof the hour wheel 226, the center of rotation of the minute wheel 256,and the center of rotation of the second wheel 284 are the same. Thehour hand 230 constitutes an hour display member. Any one of an hourhand, a disk, and other display members in floral or geometric patternsmay be used for the hour display member.

The hour display wheel train 220 includes the first hour transfer wheel222, the second hour transfer wheel 224, and the hour wheel 226. Thehour rotor 216, the first hour transfer wheel 222, and the second hourtransfer wheel 224 are rotatably supported with respect to the mainplate 102 and the wheel train bridge 112. The hour wheel 226 isrotatably supported and contacts with a periphery of the minute wheel256. That is, the upper-shaft section 216 a of the hour rotor 216, theupper-shaft section 222 a of the first hour transfer wheel 222, and theupper-shaft section 224 a of the second hour transfer wheel 224 arerotatably supported with respect to the wheel train bridge 112.Moreover, the lower-shaft section 216 b of the hour rotor 216, thelower-shaft section 222 b of the first hour transfer wheel 222, and thelower-shaft section 224 b of the second hour transfer wheel 224 arerotatably supported with respect to the main plate 102.

A bearing of the wheel train bridge 112 which rotatably supports theupper-shaft section 216 a of the hour rotor 216, a bearing of the wheeltrain bridge 112 which rotatably supports the upper-shaft section 222 aof the fist hour transfer wheel 222, and a bearing of the wheel trainbridge 112 which rotatably supports the upper-shaft section 224 a of thesecond hour transfer wheel 224, are lubricated with lubricating oil. Abearing of the lower-shaft section 216 b of the hour rotor 216, abearing of the main plate 102 which rotatably supports the lower-shaftsection 222 b of the first hour transfer wheel 222, and a bearing of themain plate 102 which rotatably supports the lower-shaft section 224 b ofthe second hour transfer wheel 224, are lubricated with lubricating oil.For this lubricating oil, it is preferable to use precision instrumentoil, and it is particularly preferable to use a so-called chronometeroil. In order to increase the retention capacity of the lubricating oil,it is preferable to provide the respective bearings of the wheel trainbridge 112 and the respective bearings of the main plate 102, with sumpsections of cone, cylindrical, or truncated cone shape.

The configuration is such that a day wheel (not shown) rotates due tothe rotation of the hour wheel 226. The day wheel is provided so that itrotates once per day due to rotation of the hour wheel 226. Theconfiguration is such that a day pawl (not shown) provided on the daywheel forwards the date dial 170 by one tooth per day.

Next is a description of a manufacturing method for the movement 100 ofthe analog electronic timepiece, in the first embodiment of the analogelectronic timepiece of the present invention. The main plate 102 andthe wheel train bridge 112 are formed by injection molding using afilled resin having a base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fibermixed with this base resin. The minute rotor 246, the first minutetransfer wheel 252, the second minute transfer wheel 254, the hour rotor216, the first hour transfer wheel 222, the second hour transfer wheel224, the second rotor 276, and the second transfer wheel 282 are formedby injection molding using polyacetal. Other components are manufacturedby conventional manufacturing methods.

Referring to FIG. 8, a pallet 410 for holding and transporting the mainplate 102 is formed from a conductive material. The pallet 410 may beformed from a metal such as brass, or may be formed by injection moldingusing the aforementioned filled resin. The pallet 410 is arranged on atransport member 420 formed from a metal such as brass. The transportmember is earthed. A metal chuck 480 is earthed. The metal chuck 880holds the second rotor 276, to insert the second rotor 276 into the mainplate 102. As shown in the drawing, even if the second rotor 276 ischarged, since the chuck 480 is earthed, the second rotor 276 will nottry to come out from the chuck 480. Moreover, as shown in the drawing,even if the second rotor 276 is charged, the transport member 420 isearthed. Therefore the pallet 410 and the main plate 102 are alsoearthed, and hence the second rotor 276 will not try to come out fromthe main plate 102.

That is, in the present invention, since the filled resin hasconductivity, the main plate 102 will not become charged. Therefore,without spraying antistatic agent on the plastic parts such as theminute rotor 246, the first minute transfer wheel 252, the second minutetransfer wheel 254, the hour rotor 216, the first hour transfer wheel222, the second hour transfer wheel 224, the second rotor 276, and thesecond transfer wheel 282, the plastic parts can be held by the chuck,and the plastic parts can be reliably fitted into the main plate 102.Similarly, the minute rotor 246, the first minute transfer wheel 252,the second minute transfer wheel 254, the hour rotor 216, the first hourtransfer wheel 222, the second hour transfer wheel 224, and the secondtransfer wheel 282, can be held by the chuck, and the plastic parts canbe reliably fitted into the main plate 102.

Furthermore, the metal chuck holds the wheel train bridge 112 to insertthe wheel train bridge 112 into the main plate 102. As shown in thedrawing, even if the second rotor 276 is charged, since the chuck isearthed, the wheel train bridge 112 is also earthed, so that the secondrotor 276 will not try to come out from the wheel train bridge 112. Suchmanufacturing method of the timepiece movement can be applied not onlyto the main plate 102 and the wheel train bridge 112, but also tobearing members such as the second and third bridge, seat members suchas the third lower seat, plate members such as the calendar back plate,presser members such as the back holder and date dial guard, and framemembers such as the winder frame and the battery frame.

As a modified example, all the rotor pinion of the second rotor 276 andthe second transfer wheel 282 may be formed from a filled resin having abase resin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this baseresin. If all the rotor pinion of the second rotor 276 and the secondtransfer wheel 282 are formed from the filled resin, since the filledresin has conductivity, the second rotor 276 and the second transferwheel 282 will not become charged. Therefore, these plastic parts can beheld by the chuck, and these plastic parts can be reliably fitted intothe main plate 102.

Moreover, as a modified example, all the rotor pinion of the minuterotor 246, the first minute transfer wheel 252 and the second minutetransfer wheel 254 may be formed from a filled resin having a base resinof thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this base resin. Ifall the rotor pinion of the minute rotor 246, the first minute transferwheel 252 and the second minute transfer wheel 254 are formed from thefilled resin, since the filled resin has conductivity, the minute rotor246, the first minute transfer wheel 252 and the second minute transferwheel 254 will not become charged. Therefore, these plastic parts can beheld by the chuck, and these plastic parts can be reliably fitted intothe main plate 102.

Furthermore, as a modified example, all the rotor pinion of the hourrotor 216, the first hour transfer wheel 222 and the second hourtransfer wheel 224 may be formed from a filled resin having a base resinof thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this base resin. Ifall the rotor pinion of the minute rotor 246, the first minute transferwheel 252 and the second minute transfer wheel 254 are formed from thefilled resin, since the filled resin has conductivity, the hour rotor216, the first hour transfer wheel 222 and the second hour transferwheel 224 will not become charged. Therefore, these plastic parts can beheld by the chuck and these plastic parts can be reliably fitted intothe main plate 102.

In the respective modified examples, the main plate 102 and the wheeltrain bridge 112 are preferably formed from the filled resin. Howeverthe main plate 102 and/or the wheel train bridge 112 may be formed froma metal, or a plastic other than the filled resin. In thisconfiguration, the plastic parts to be fitted into the main plate 102,will not become charged. Therefore, these plastic parts can be held bythe chuck and these plastic parts can be reliably fitted into the mainplate 102.

Second Embodiment

Next is the description of a second embodiment of the present invention.The second embodiment of the present invention is a mechanical timepieceincluding a spring and a wheel train. Referring to FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, inthe mechanical timepiece, a movement (machine body) 300 of themechanical timepiece has a main plate 302 constituting the substrate ofthe movement. A hand setting stem 310 is rotatably built in to a handsetting stem guiding hole 302 a of the main plate 302. A dial 304(denoted by imaginary lines in FIG. 26) is installed in the movement300. Generally, of the two sides of the main plate, the side with thedial is called the “back side” of the movement, and the opposite side tothe side with the dial is called the “observe side” of the movement. Thewheel train built in to the “observe side” of the movement is called a“front wheel train”, and the wheel train built in to the “back side” ofthe movement is called a “back wheel train”.

The position in the axial direction of the hand setting stem 310 isdetermined by a switching device including a setting lever 390, a yoke392, a setting lever spring 394, and a back holder 396. A winding pinion312 is rotatably provided on a guiding shaft of the hand setting stem310. If the hand setting stem 310 is rotated in a condition with thehand setting stem 310 in a first winding position (0th step) nearest tothe inside of the movement along the axial direction of rotation, thewinding pinion 312 will rotate through rotation of a drum wheel.

A round-holed wheel 314 rotates by rotation of the winding pinion 312. Asquare-holed wheel 316 rotates by rotation of the round-holed wheel 314.By rotation of the square-holed wheel 316, a mainspring 322 accommodatedin a barrel complete 320 is wound up. A second wheel-and-pinion 324rotates by rotation of the barrel complete 320. An escapewheel-and-pinion 330 rotates through rotation of a fourthwheel-and-pinion 328, a Third wheel-and-pinion 326, and the secondwheel-and-pinion 324. The barrel complete 320, the secondwheel-and-pinion 324, the third wheel-and-pinion 326 and the fourthwheel-and-pinion 328 constitute the front wheel train.

An escapement and a speed governor for controlling rotation of the frontwheel train, contain a balance complete 340, an escape wheel-and-pinion330, and a pallet fork 342. The balance complete 340 includes an balancestaff 340 a, an balance wheel 340 b, and a hair spring 340 c. Based onrotation of the second wheel-and-pinion 324, a cannon pinion 350 rotatesat the same time. A minute hand 352 attached to the cannon pinion 350displays “minutes.” A slip mechanism for the second wheel-and-pinion 324is provided in the cannon pinion 350. Based on rotation of the cannonpinion 350, a hour wheel 354 rotates through rotation of the day backwheel. An hour hand 356 attached to the hour wheel 354 displays “time”.

The hair spring 340 c is a thin plate spring in a spiral (helix) shapewith two or more turns The inner end of the hair spring 340 c is fixedto a collet 340 d fixed to the balance staff 340 a, and the outer end ofthe hair spring 340 c is fixed by a thread fastening via a stud support370 a fitted to a stud 370 fixed to a balance cock 366. A slow-fastneedle 368 is rotatably attached to the balance cock 366. A regulatorkey 1340 and a regulator pin 1342 are attached to the slow-fast needle368. The part near the outer end of the hair spring 340 c is locatedbetween the regulator key 1340 and the regulator pin 1342. The balancecomplete 340 is rotatably supported with respect to the main plate 302and the balance cock 366.

The barrel complete 320 is provided with a barrel drum gear wheel 320 d,a barrel arbor 320 f, and a mainspring 322. The barrel arbor 320 fincludes an upper-shaft section 320 a and a lower-shaft section 320 b.The barrel arbor 320 f is formed from a metal such as carbon steel. Thebarrel drum gear wheel 320 d is formed from a metal such as brass. Thesecond wheel-and-pinion 324 includes an upper-shaft 324 a, a lower-shaftsection 324 b, a pinion section 324 c, a gear wheel section 324 d, and abead section 324 h. The pinion section 324 c is configured so that itmeshes with the barrel drum gear wheel 320 d. The upper-shaft 324 a, thelower-shaft section 324 b, and the bead section 324 b are formed from ametal such as carbon steel. The gear wheel section 324 d is formed froma metal such as brass.

The third wheel-and-pinion 326 includes an upper-shaft section 326 a, alower-shaft section 326 b, a pinion section 326 c, and a gear wheelsection 326 d. The pinion section 326 c is configured so that it mesheswith the gear wheel section 324 d. The third wheel-and-pinion 326 isformed from a so-called engineering plastic, such as polyacetal. Thefourth wheel-and-pinion 328 contains an upper-shaft section 328 a, alower-shaft section 328 b, a pinion section 328 c, and a gear wheelsection 328 d. The pinion section 328 c is configured so that it mesheswith the gear wheel section 326 d. The fourth wheel-and-pinion 328 isformed from a so-called engineering plastic, such as polyacetal.

The escape wheel-and-pinion 330 includes an upper-shaft section 330 a, alower-shaft section 330 b, a pinion section 330 c, and a gear wheelsection 330 d. The pinion section 330 c is configured so that it mesheswith the gear wheel section 328 d. The upper-shaft section 330 a and thelower-shaft section 330 b are formed from a metal such as carbon steel.The gear wheel section 330 d is formed from a metal such as iron. Thepallet fork 342 is provided with an anchor-escapement body 342 d and ananchor-escapement center 342 f. The anchor-escapement center 342 fincludes an upper-shaft section 342 a and a lower-shaft section 342 b.The anchor-escapement body 342 d is formed from a metal such as nickel.The anchor-escapement center 342 f is formed from a metal such as carbonsteel.

The barrel complete 320 is rotatably supported with respect to the mainplate 302 and the barrel drum bridge 360. That is, the upper-shaft 320 aof the barrel arbor 320 f is rotatably supported with respect to thebarrel drum bridge 360. The lower-shaft section 320 b of barrel arbor320 f is rotatably supported with respect to the main plate 302. Thesecond wheel-and-pinion 324, the third wheel-and-pinion 326, the fourthwheel-and-pinion 328 and the escape wheel-and-pinion 330 are rotatablysupported with respect to the main plate 302 and the wheel train bridge362. That is, the upper-shaft section 324 a of the secondwheel-and-pinion 324, the upper-shaft section 326 a of the thirdwheel-and-pinion 326, the upper-shaft section 328 a of the fourthwheel-and-pinion 328 and the upper-shaft section 330 a of the escapewheel-and-pinion 330 are rotatably supported with respect to the wheeltrain bridge 362. Moreover, the lower-shaft section 324 b of the secondwheel-and-pinion 324, the lower-shaft section 326 b of the thirdwheel-and-pinion 326, the lower-shaft section 328 b of the fourthwheel-and-pinion 328, and the lower-shaft section 330 b of an escapewheel-and-pinion 330 are rotatably supported with respect to the mainplate 302.

A bearing of the barrel drum bridge 360 which rotatably supports theupper-shaft section 320 a of the barrel arbor 320 f, a bearing of thewheel train bridge 362 which rotatably supports the upper-shaft section324 a of the second wheel-and-pinion 324, a bearing of the wheel trainbridge 362 which rotatably supports the upper-shaft section 326 a of thethird wheel-and-pinion 326, a bearing of the wheel train bridge 362which rotatably supports the upper-shaft section 328 a of the fourthwheel-and-pinion 328, a bearing of the wheel train bridge 362 whichrotatably supports the upper-shaft section 330 a of the escapewheel-and-pinion 330, and a bearing of the anchor escapement bridge 364which rotatably supports the upper-shaft section 342 a of the palletfork 342, are lubricated with lubricating oil. A bearing of the mainplate 102 which rotatably supports the lower-shaft section 276 b of thesecond rotor 276, a bearing of the main plate 302 which rotatablysupports the lower-shaft section 320 b of the barrel arbor 320 f, abearing of the main plate 302 which rotatably supports the lower-shaftsection 324 b of the second wheel-and-pinion 324, a bearing of the mainplate 302 which rotatably supports the lower-shaft section 326 b of thethird wheel-and-pinion 326, a bearing of the main plate 302 whichrotatably supports the lower-shaft section 328 b of the fourthwheel-and-pinion 328, a bearing of the main plate 302 which rotatablysupports the lower-shaft section 320 b of the escape wheel-and-pinion330, and a bearing of the main plate 302 which rotatably supports thelower-shaft section 342 b of the pallet fork 342, are lubricated withlubricating oil. For this lubricating oil, it is preferable to useprecision instrument oil, and it is particularly preferable to useso-called chronometer oil.

In order to increase the retention capacity of the lubricating oil, itis preferable to provide the respective bearings of the main plate 302,the respective bearings of the barrel drum bridge 360, and therespective bearings of the wheel train bridge 360, with sump sections ofcone, cylindrical, or truncated cone shape. If the sump section isprovided, the lubricating oil can be effectively prevented fromspreading, by the surface tension of the oil. The main plate 302, thebarrel drum bridge 360, the wheel train bridge 362, and the anchorescapement bridge 364 are formed from a filled resin having a base resinof thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this base resin. Ifthe main plate 302, the barrel drum bridge 360, the wheel train bridge362, and the anchor escapement bridge 364 are formed from the filledresin, the lubricating oil can be effectively held due to the filler.Therefore the likelihood of the lubricating oil being scattered withoutbeing retained by the bearings can be reduced.

The filled resin used for the main plate 302, the barrel drum bridge360, the wheel train bridge 362, and the anchor escapement bridge 364 inthe second embodiment of the present invention, is the same as thefilled resin used for the main plate 102 and the wheel train bridge 162in the first embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, theabovementioned description for the filled resin, the base resin, and thecarbon filler in the first embodiment of the present invention alsoapplies here.

Next is a description of a manufacturing method for the movement 300 ofthe mechanical timepiece, in the second embodiment of the presentinvention. The main plate 302, the barrel drum bridge 360, the wheeltrain bridge 362, and the anchor escapement bridge 364, are formed byinjection molding using a filled resin having a base resin ofthermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this base resin. Thethird wheel-and-pinion 326 and the fourth wheel-and-pinion 328 areformed by injection molding using polyacetal. Other components aremanufactured by conventional manufacturing methods.

Similarly to the configuration described in FIG. 8, a pallet for holdingand transporting the main plate 302 is formed from a conductivematerial. The pallet may be formed from a metal such as brass, or may beformed by injection molding using the aforementioned filled resin. Thepallet is arranged on a transport member formed from a metal such asbrass. The transport member is earthed. A metal chuck is earthed. Themetal chuck holds the third wheel-and-pinion 326 to insert the thirdwheel-and-pinion 326 into the main plate 302. Even if Thirdwheel-and-pinion 326 is charged, since the chuck is earthed, the thirdwheel-and-pinion 326 will not try to come out from the chuck. Moreover,even if the third wheel-and-pinion 326 is charged, the transport memberis earthed. Therefore the pallet and the main plate 302 are alsoearthed, and hence the third wheel-and-pinion 326 will not try to comeout from the main plate 302.

That is, in the present invention, since the filled resin hasconductivity, the main plate 302 will not become charged. Therefore,without spraying antistatic agent on the plastic parts such as the thirdwheel-and-pinion 326 and the fourth wheel-and-pinion 328, the plasticparts can be held by the chuck, and the plastic parts can be reliablyfitted into the main plate 302. Furthermore, the metal chuck holds thewheel train bridge 362 to insert the wheel train bridge 362 into themain plate 302. Even if the third wheel-and-pinion 326 and fourthwheel-and-pinion 328 are charged, since the chuck is earthed, the wheeltrain bridge 362 is also earthed so that the third wheel-and-pinion 326and fourth wheel-and-pinion 328 will not try to come out from the wheeltrain bridge 362. By this configuration of the present invention,without spraying antistatic agent on the plastic parts such as the thirdwheel-and-pinion 326 and the fourth wheel-and-pinion 328, the plasticparts can be held by the chuck, and the plastic parts can be reliablyfitted into the main plate 302.

As a modified example, the third wheel-and-pinion 326 and fourthwheel-and-pinion 328 may be formed from a filled resin having a baseresin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this baseresin. If the third wheel-and-pinion 326 and fourth wheel-and-pinion 328are formed from the filled resin, since the filled resin hasconductivity, the third wheel-and-pinion 326 and the fourthwheel-and-pinion 328 will not become charged. Therefore, these plasticparts can be held by the chuck, and these plastic parts can be reliablyfitted into the main plate 302. In the modified example, the main plate302 and the wheel train bridge 362 may be formed from the filled resin.However the main plate 102 and/or the wheel train bridge 362 may beformed from a metal, or a plastic other than the filled resin. In thisconfiguration, the plastic parts to be fitted into the main plate 302,will not become charged. Therefore, these plastic parts can be held bythe chuck. and these plastic parts can be reliably fitted into the mainplate 302.

In the above embodiments of the present invention, the present inventionwas described for an embodiment of an analog electronic timepieceincluding a plurality of motors and a plurality of wheel trains, and anembodiment of a mechanical timepiece including one mainspring and onewheel train. However, the present invention may be applied to an analogelectronic timepiece including one motor and one wheel train, may beapplied to an analog electronic timepiece including one motor and aplurality of wheel trains, may be applied to a mechanical timepieceincluding a plurality of mainsprings and a plurality of wheel trains,and may be applied to a timepiece including motors and wheel trains, andincluding mainsprings and wheel trains.

In the above embodiments of the present invention, the present inventionwas described for an analog electronic timepiece and a mechanicaltimepiece. However, the present invention may be applied to an analogelectronic timepiece including one motor and one wheel train, may beapplied to an analog electronic timepiece including one motor and aplurality of wheel trains, may be applied to a mechanical timepieceincluding a plurality of mainsprings and a plurality of wheel trains,and may be applied to a timepiece including motors and wheel trains, andincluding mainsprings and wheel trains. In the above embodiments of thepresent invention, the present invention was described for an analogelectronic timepiece and a mechanical timepiece. However, the presentinvention may be applied to a wheel train apparatus including one ormore gear wheels.

In the present timepiece, when the main plate is formed from the filledresin and the other members such as the bearing members, seat members,plate members, presser members and fame members are formed from thefilled resin, it is preferable to electrically connect the other membersformed from the filled resin with the main plate. In this electricalconnection method, the other members and the main plate may be directlycontacted, or the other members and the main plate may be electricallyconnected through metal pins, screws, levers, springs, bearing members,seat member, plate members, or the like. In such configurations, theplastic parts may be held by a metal chuck so that these plastic partscan be fitted into the other members. Even if the plastic parts arecharged, since the chuck is earthed the plastic parts will not try tocome out from the chuck. Moreover, even if the plastic parts arecharged, since the transport member is earthed, and the pallet, the mainplate and the other members are also earthed, the plastic parts will nottry to come out from the main plate. That is, in the present invention,since the filled resin has conductivity, the main plate and the othermembers will not become charged. Therefore, without spraying antistaticagent on the plastic parts, the plastic parts can be held by the chuck,and the plastic parts can be reliably fitted into the other memberselectrically connected to the main plate.

In the above embodiments of the present invention, generally the baseresin is polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate,polyacetal (polyoxymethylene), polyamide, modified polyphenylene ether,polybutylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether etherketone, or polyether imide. However, other plastics, for example, athermoplastic resin such as polysulfone, polyether sulphone,polyethylene, nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 12, polypropylene, ABS plastic,or AS resin, can also be used as the base resin. Moreover, two or morekinds of the abovementioned thermoplastic resins may be mixed to use asthe base resin. Furthermore, an additive (antioxidant, lubricant,plasticizer, stabilizer, bulking agent, solvent, or the like) may beblended with the base resin used in this invention.

Next is a description of an example of experimental data showing thatthe carbon filled resin has conductivity in the above embodiment, withreference to TABLE 1 and TABLE 2.

TABLE. 1 shows the basic characteristic (specific resistance) ofpolyamide resin 12 (PA12), polyacetal resin (POM), and polycarbonateresin (PC) with a carbon filler of 10% or 20% by weight added. That is,in TABLE. 1, VGCF (trademark) “Vapor Grown Carbo Fiber” is a resin withcarbon filler of 10% or 20% by weight added. From the experimental data,it can be seen whether or not the carbon-filler-including resin iseasily charged. The characteristics of non-composite materials withcarbon filler not added (single resin, that is PA 12, POM, PC itself)are shown as ‘BLANK’ for comparison.

The respective resins mentioned above were injection mould under themolding conditions shown in TABLE 2. That is, for a composite materialof PA12 with carbon filler of 20% by weight added, the temperatures was220° C. at the nozzle, 230° C. at the front section (metering section),220° C. at the middle section (compressing section), 210° C. at the backsection (supplying section), and 70° C. at the mold. For thenon-composite material of PA12, the respective temperatures were 190°C., 200° C., 180° C., 170° C., and 70° C. For the composite material ofPOM with carbon filler of 20% by weight added, the above respectivetemperatures were 200° C., 210° C., 190° C., 170° C., and 60° C., andfor the non-composite material of POM, the respective temperatures are180° C., 185° C., 175° C., 165° C., and 60° C. For the compositematerial of PC with carbon filler of 20% by weight added, the abovetemperatures were 290° C., 310° C., 290° C., 270° C., and 80° C., andfor the non-composite material of PC, the respective temperatures were280° C., 290° C., 270° C., 260° C., and 80° C. For the compositematerial of PA12 with carbon filler of 10% by weight added, theconditions were the same as for with the 20% by weight.

In TABLE. 1, the volume resistance (Ω·cm) and the surface resistance(Ω/□) were measured using a resistivity meter of MCP-T600 (LORESTA GP,made by DIA INSTRUMENTS Inc.), or MCP-HT450 (HIRESTA UP, made by DIAINSTRUMENTS Inc.). For the volume resistance, a resin piece of 100 mm×80mm×2 mm was measured.

As shown in TABLE. 1, in relation to the surface resistance and thevolume resistance, compared to the resin with carbon filler of 10% byweight added, that with 20% by weight added showed a considerablyimprovement. The surface resistance and the volume resistance are thecriteria for determining ease of charging. The smaller the surfaceresistance and the volume resistance, the more difficult for the staticelectricity to charge up. Here, if the surface resistance (Ω/□) and thevolume resistance (Ω·cm) are in a range of 10¹³ to 10³, this functionsas an antistatic material.

Here, as mentioned above, by using the resin with carbon filler of 20%by weight added, for the aforementioned substrate of the timepiece (orthe wheel train apparatus), there is no likelihood of the substratebecoming charged during the manufacturing processes. Consequently,without spraying antistatic agent on the plastic parts such as therotor, the fifth wheel-and-pinion, the fourth wheel-and-pinion, and thethird wheel-and-pinion, there parts can be held by the chuck, and theseparts can be reliably fitted into the substrate.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In the timepiece of the present invention, the substrate is formed froma filled resin having a base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbonfiber mixed with this base resin. Since this filled resin hasconductivity, the main plate formed from the filled resin will notbecome charged. Therefore, due to the present invention, the plasticparts can be held by the chuck without spraying antistatic agent on theplastic parts such as the rotor, the fifth wheel-and-pinion, the fourthwheel-and-pinion and the third wheel-and-pinion. In the timepiece of thepresent invention, the plastic parts can be reliably fitted into thesubstrate Furthermore, in the timepiece of the present invention, whenthe plastic parts such as the rotor, the main plate, or the bridge arelubricated with lubricating oil (chronometer oil) using a lubricatingunit, there is little likelihood of droplets of the lubricating oil notbeing adhered to the parts requiring the lubricating oil, for example,the bearings of the shaft or the bore, and being dispersed and adheredto the parts not requiring the lubricating oil, for example, the pinionsection.

Moreover, in a wheel train of the present invention, without sprayingantistatic agent on the gear wheels such as the fifth wheel-and-pinion,the fourth wheel-and-pinion, the third wheel-and-pinion, and an transferwheel, these parts can be held by the chuck, and these parts can bereliably fitted into the substrate. TABLE 1 PA12 POM PC VGCF VGCF VGCFItem Units 20 wt % 10 wt % BLANK 20 wt % BLANK 20 wt % BLANK Surfaceresistance Ω/□ 6.3 × 10³ 4.7 × 10¹² 7.7 × 10¹⁴ Volume resistance Ω · cm3.3 × 10³ 1.4 × 10¹³ 1.2 × 10¹⁴ 2.4 × 10⁰ 1 × 10¹⁴ 1.48 × 10³ 3 × 10¹⁴

TABLE 2 PA12 POM PC VGCF BLANK VGCF BLANK VGCF BLANK NOZZLE 220° C. 190°C. 200° C. 180° C. 290° C. 280° C. FRONT SECTION 230° C. 200° C. 210° C.185° C. 310° C. 290° C. MIDDLE SECTION 220° C. 180° C. 190° C. 175° C.290° C. 270° C. BACK SECTION 210° C. 170° C. 170° C. 165° C. 270° C.260° C. MOLD TEMP.  70° C.  70° C.  60° C.  60° C.  80° C.  80° C.

1. A timepiece comprising: a motor constituting a driving source, saidmotor including a rotor having a pinion section and a shaft section; agear wheel configured so as to rotate by rotation of said rotor, saidgear wheel having a gear wheel section and a shaft section; and asubstrate including a bearing section which rotatably supports the shaftsection of said rotor and/or the shaft section of said gear wheel,wherein said substrate is formed from a filled resin having a base resinof thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this base resin, andsaid carbon filler is selected from a group consisting of: a monolayercarbon nanotube, a multilayer carbon nanotube, a nanografiber, a carbonnano horn, a cup stack type carbon nanotube, a monolayer fullerene, amultilayer fullerene, and a mixture of any one of the carbon fillersdoped with boron.
 2. A timepiece comprising: a motor constituting adriving source, said motor including a rotor having a pinion section anda shaft section; a gear wheel configured so as to rotate by rotation ofsaid rotor, said gear wheel having a gear wheel section and a shaftsection; and a substrate including a bearing section which rotatablysupports the shaft section of said rotor and/or the shaft section ofsaid gear wheel, wherein said substrate is formed from a filled resinhaving a base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed withthis base resin, and said carbon filler is a vapor grown carbon fiberwith a diameter of 50 nm to 200 nm, and an aspect ratio of 10 to 1000.3. A timepiece comprising: a motor constituting a driving source, saidmotor including a rotor having a pinion section and a shaft section; agear wheel configured so as to rotate by rotation of said rotor, saidgear wheel having a gear wheel section and a shaft section; and asubstrate including a bearing section which rotatably supports the shaftsection of said rotor and/or the shaft section of said gear wheel,wherein said substrate is formed from a metal or a plastic, said rotorand/or said gear wheel are formed from a filled resin having a baseresin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this baseresin, and said carbon filler is selected from a group consisting of: amonolayer carbon nanotube a multilayer carbon nanotube, a nanografiber,a carbon nano horn, a cup stack type carbon nanotube, a monolayerfullerene, a multilayer fullerene, and a mixture of any one of thecarbon fillers doted with boron.
 4. A timepiece comprising: a spiralspring constituting a driving source; a gear wheel configured so as torotate with said spiral spring as the driving source, said gear wheelhaving a gear wheel section and a shaft section; and a substrateincluding a bearing section which rotatably supports the shaft sectionof said gear wheel, wherein said substrate is formed from a metal or aplastic, said rotor and/or said gear wheel are formed from a filledresin having a base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixedwith this base resin, and said carbon filler is a vapor grown carbonfiber with a diameter of 50 nm to 200 nm, and an aspect ratio of 10 to1000.
 5. A timepiece comprising: a spiral spring constituting a drivingsource; a gear wheel configured so as to rotate with said spiral springas the driving source, said gear wheel having a gear wheel section and ashaft section; and a substrate including a bearing section whichrotatably supports the shaft section of said gear wheel, wherein saidsubstrate is formed from a filled resin having a base resin ofthermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this base resin, andsaid carbon filler is selected from a group consisting of; a monolayercarbon nanotube, a multilayer carbon nanotube, a nanografiber, a carbonnano home a cup stack type carbon nanotube, a monolayer fullerene, amultilayer fullerene, and a mixture of any one of the carbon fillersdoped with boron.
 6. A timepiece comprising: a spiral springconstituting a driving source; a gear wheel configured so as to rotatewith said spiral spring as the driving source, said gear wheel having agear wheel section and a shaft section; and a substrate including abearing section which rotatably supports the shaft section of said gearwheel, wherein said substrate is formed from a filled resin having abase resin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this baseresin, and said carbon filler is a vapor grown carbon fiber with adiameter of 50 nm to 200 nm, and an aspect ratio of 10 to
 1000. 7. Atimepiece comprising: a spiral spring constituting a driving source; agear wheel configured so as to rotate with said spiral spring as thedriving source, said gear wheel having a gear wheel section and a shaftsection; and a substrate including a bearing section which rotatablesupports the shaft section of said gear wheel, wherein said substrate isformed from a metal or a plastic, wherein said gear wheel is formed froma filled resin having a base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbonfiber mixed with this base resin, and said carbon filler is selectedfrom a group consisting of: a monolayer carbon nanotube, a multilayercarbon nanotube, a nanografiber, a carbon nano horn, a cup stack typecarbon nanotube, a monolayer fullerene, a multilayer fullerene, and amixture of any one of the carbon fillers doped with boron.
 8. Atimepiece comprising: a spiral spring constituting a driving source, agear wheel configured so as to rotate with said spiral spring as thedriving source, said gear wheel having a gear wheel section and a shaftsection; and a substrate including a bearing section which rotatablysupports the shaft section of said gear wheel, wherein said substrate isformed from a metal or a plastic, wherein said gear wheel is formed froma filled resin having a base resin of thermoplastic resin and carbonfiber mixed with this base resin, and said carbon filler is a vaporgrown carbon fiber with a diameter of 50 nm to 20 nm and an aspect ratioof 10 to
 1000. 9. A timepiece according to any one of claim 1 throughclaim 8, wherein said base resin is selected from a group consisting ofany one of; a polystyrene, a polyethlene terephthalate, a polycarbonate,a polyacetal (polyoxymethylene), a polyamide, a modified polyphenyleneether, a polybutylene terephthalate, a polyphenylene sulfide, apolyether ether ketone, and a polyether imide.
 10. A wheel trainapparatus including a gear wheel, a substrate, and a bearing member,comprising: a gear wheel having a gear wheel section and a shaftsection; a substrate including a bearing section which rotatablysupports one shaft section of said gear wheel; and a bearing memberincluding a bearing section which rotatably supports an other shaftsection of said gear wheel, wherein said substrate and said bearingmember are formed from a filled resin having a base resin ofthermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this base resin, andsaid carbon filler is selected from a group consisting of; a monolayercarbon nanotube, a multilayer carbon nanotube, a nanografiber, a carbonnano horn, a cup stack type carbon nanotube, a monolayer fullerene, amultilayer fullerene, and a mixture of my one of the carbon fillersdoped with boron.
 11. A wheel train apparatus including a gear wheel, asubstrate, and a bearing member, comprising: a gear wheel having a gearwheel section and a shaft section; a substrate including a bearingsection which rotatably supports one shaft section of said gear wheel;and a bearing member including a bearing which rotatably supports another shaft section of said gear wheel, wherein said substrate and saidbearing member are formed from a filled resin having a base resin ofthermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this base resin, andsaid carbon filler is a vapor grown carbon fiber with a diameter of 50nm to 200 nm, and an aspect ratio of 10 to
 1000. 12. A wheel trainapparatus including a gear wheel, a substrate, and a bearing member,comprising: a gear wheel having a gear wheel section and a shaftsection; a substrate including a bearing section which rotatablysupports one shaft section of said gear wheel; and a bearing memberincluding a bearing which rotatably supports an other shaft section ofsaid gear wheel, wherein said substrate is formed from a metal or aplastic, said bearing member is formed from a metal or a plastic, saidgear wheel is formed from a filled resin having a base resin ofthermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this base resin, andsaid carbon filler is selected from a group consisting of; a monolayercarbon nanotube, a multilayer carbon nanotube, a nanografiber, a carbonnano horn, a cup stack type carbon nanotube, a monolayer fullerene, amultilayer fullerene, and a mixture of any one of the carbon fillersdoped with boron.
 13. A wheel train apparatus including a gear wheel, asubstrate, and a bearing member, comprising: a gear wheel having a gearwheel section and a shaft section; a substrate including a bearingsection which rotatably support one shaft section of said gear wheel;and a bearing member including a bearing which rotatably supports another shaft section of said gear wheel, wherein said substrate is formedfrom a metal or a plastic, said bearing member is formed from a metal ora plastic, said gear wheel is formed from a filled resin having a baseresin of thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber mixed with this baseresin, and said carbon filler is a vapor grown carbon fiber with adiameter of 50 nm to 200 nm, and an aspect ratio of 10 to
 1000. 14. Awheel train apparatus according to any one of claim 10 through claim 13,wherein said base resin is selected from a group consisting of any oneof; a polystyrene, a polyethylene tererphthalate, a polycarbonate, apolyacetal (polyoxyethylene), a polyamide, a modified polyphenyleneether, a polybutylene terephthalate, a polyphenylene sulfide, apolyether ether ketone, and a polyether imide.